Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ6: Regulation of use of electronic screen products by children and adolescents
Question:
It has been reported that obsessive use of mobile phones by infants and young children will bring them such harms as social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation and addiction, which are detrimental to the development of their physical movement, fine motor, language, cognitive and social skills. Earlier on, legislation was enacted in Australia to prohibit the use of social media platforms by children and adolescents under the age of 16. The Guidelines (Trial) on Early Childhood Development Services issued by the National Health Commission has also pointed out that infants and young children aged 0 to 3 should not be exposed to any form of products with display screens. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the Government will draw on the experience of our country, Australia and other regions to enact legislation restricting or prohibiting the use of electronic screen products by infants and young children aged 0 to 3;
(2) whether the Government will consider devising relevant guidelines on the use of computers and the Internet by primary and secondary school students and adolescents; and
(3) as there are views that parents should, through such means as parent-child exchanges, help their infants and young children acquire the abilities to engage in interpersonal exchanges, express emotions and consider other people’s feelings, whether the Government will consider promoting to society the importance for children to stay away from electronic screen products, as well as providing parents with consultation channels in order to help them establish a correct concept of family education?
Reply:
President,
The Government attaches great importance to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, and provides comprehensive health promotion and medical services by deploying substantial resources in education, public health and medical systems. In particular, we are concerned about the impact of excessive use of the Internet and electronic screen products on their physical and mental development. The Department of Health (DH) set up an Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products (Advisory Group) as early as 2013 comprising of members from the Education Bureau (EDB), the Social Welfare Department and relevant Colleges of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, etc, and published the Report of Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products in 2014 with recommendations for children, adolescents, parents and teachers on healthy use of the Internet and electronic screen products.
In consultation with the EDB, the DH and the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Luk Chung-hung is as follows:
(1) and (3) The Mainland and other regions in the world have provided guidelines and recommended the time for infants and young children to use electronic screen products, instead of restricting or prohibiting the use of electronic screen products by infants and young children by legislation. The Australian Government enacted legislation last year to prohibit the use of social media platforms by children and adolescents under the age of 16, but has not restricted or prohibited the use of electronic screen products. Regulating the use of electronic screen products by way of legislation requires consideration of a number of factors, including public acceptance, how to regulate, how to enforce and feasibility of enforcement. The Government does not have any relevant legislative plans at present.
With reference to international guidelines, the DH updated the relevant health advice on the use of electronic screen products in 2018 and suggested that infants and young children aged below 2 should avoid exposure to electronic screen products, except for interactive video-chat under parents’ guidance; and that children aged between 2 and 5 should limit their daily screen time to within one hour, and that such screen activities should be interactive and educative, and should be carried out under the guidance of parents. These recommendations are similar to the guidelines of the Mainland, Singapore, the United States and Australia. The DH will continue to keep in view international experience and the local situation, and review the relevant recommendations in a timely manner.
As a matter of fact, the period before the age of 6 is the prime time for the development of infants and young children. Parents should seize the time to carry out more parent-child communication activities to enhance healthy and all-round development of children, which is particularly important for their future development in learning, thinking and socialising. The DH provides information on childcare and parenting through the Maternal and Child Health Centres, including the abovementioned health advice on the use of electronic screen products. In addition, the DH also promotes relevant health advice on the use of electronic screen products through thematic webpages
(2) Regarding the use of the Internet and electronic screen products by primary and secondary school students and adolescents, taken into account overseas scientific information and the local context, the Advisory Group recommended that primary school students aged between 6 and 12 should limit the recreational screen time to less than two hours a day, while secondary school students aged 12 to 18 should learn good time management and take regular breaks if prolonged screen time for study purpose is unavoidable. They should also remember the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break to view something at least 20 feet away for every 20 minutes.
The DH has been providing free annual health assessment for primary and secondary school students, including growth monitoring, vision and hearing assessments, to continuously monitor various health indicators of all students in Hong Kong. Students found to have health problems will be referred for further assessment and treatment. According to the latest statistics, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the overall time spent by primary and secondary school students on the Internet and electronic screen products for recreational purposes has increased by more than 10 percentage points as compared with that before the epidemic. The DH will hold a press conference this afternoon and release the “Student Health Service Annual Health Report for 2023/24 School Year”, summarising the key findings of the annual health assessment service provided to all primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong during the year, including the time in using the Internet and electronic screen products.
As a matter of fact, home and school are both the major places where children learn and establish healthy habits. Collaboration between home and school is the key to helping children develop good use of the Internet and electronic screen products. The EDB provides the “Information Literacy for Hong Kong Students” Learning Framework for schools to strengthen the relevant information literacy learning elements in primary and secondary curricula with a view to fostering students’ ability and attitude to use information and communication technology effectively such that they are able to use the Internet and electronic devices properly and healthily.
In the meantime, to cultivate healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents from an early age, the DH has launched the Whole School Health Programme (WSHP) to assist schools in systematically reviewing and formulating measures to promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and social well-being. It is announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” that the WSHP will be extended to cover all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, and that health reports will be compiled for each participating school to recommend targeted school-based health promotion measures with a view to further promoting students’ physical and mental health. Besides, the PHC Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan and formulating a personalised preventive care plan to address the health needs of citizens (including school children) across different life stages, such as making recommendations on daily screen time based on the school children’s age groups.
Thank you, President.
Issued at HKT 15:58
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Persons in custody at Lo Wu Correctional Institution attain good examination results (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Persons in custody at Lo Wu Correctional Institution attain good examination results ???
LWCI is a medium security institution for female adult convicted PICs, female adult remand PICs and female adult drug addicts undergoing treatment programmes under the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 16:45
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Government launches consultation on proposed regulation of basketball betting activities
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Having considered the proposal submitted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), views from the Betting and Lotteries Commission (BLC), and other related issues concerning illegal basketball gambling, the Government today (April 2) launched a consultation on the proposed regulation of basketball betting activities.
In recent years, quite some members of the public have expressed concerns about the problem of illegal basketball betting in Hong Kong. According to the latest assessment of the HKJC, the turnover of illegal basketball betting reached $70 billion to $90 billion in 2024. To combat illegal betting activities in an effective manner, the Government announced in the 2025-26 Budget that it will explore regulating basketball betting activities.
The Government proposes establishing a regulatory regime for basketball betting by modelling on the existing regime for football betting. Through amending the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108), the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs will be granted the power to issue a licence for basketball betting to the HKJC and to impose licensing conditions to minimise the negative impact of gambling on the public, especially on young people.
Mirroring the regulatory regime on football betting, major licensing conditions of the proposed regulation of basketball betting activities are as follows-
(1) A fixed duration shall be set on the licensing period;
(2) The Government shall impose restrictions on the number of bet types and classes of competitions;
(3) The licensed operator shall not accept bets on basketball matches involving Hong Kong teams and/or matches that take places in Hong Kong, to promote a betting-free and healthy environment for the sport in Hong Kong;
(4) The licensed operator shall not accept bets from juveniles;
(5) The licensed operator shall not accept credit betting; and
(6) The licensed operator shall display notices reminding the public of the seriousness of the problems caused by excessive gambling, and provide information on the services available for those with gambling disorder.
A spokesman for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) said, “As a matter of policy, the Government does not encourage gambling. The Government adopts a multipronged strategy to address gambling-related issues, combining regulation of gambling activities through legislation, law enforcement against illegal gambling, public education and publicity on the harms of gambling addiction, and provision of counselling and support services to people in need.
“There is, however, undeniably an actual and persistent demand for gambling in Hong Kong which, if left unregulated, would likely give rise to illegal gambling activities and associated social problems and other criminal activities. As such, the Government adopts a pragmatic approach by allowing only a limited number of authorised gambling outlets, which includes authorising the HKJC to conduct horse race betting, Mark Six Lottery and football betting in accordance with the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108).”
Please refer to the website of the HYAB (www.hyab.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/policy_responsibilities/consultation_paper.pdf) for the consultation document on the regulatory regime for basketball betting and details of submissions. Members of the public may submit their views by post to 13/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong (Attention: Home Affairs Division, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau) (date of the stamp chop will be taken as the submission date), by fax to 2591 6002 or by email to ha@hyab.gov.hk on or before May 2.
Furthermore, having consulted the BLC, the Government has decided to renew the licence for football betting of the HKJC Football Betting Limited for five years with effect from July 18, 2025. The conditions under the existing regime will remain largely the same, including the prohibition on accepting bets from juveniles, the prohibition on accepting credit betting, requirements to display warnings about the seriousness of excessive gambling and provide information on the services available for those with gambling disorder, and more. The licensing authority will continue to request the licensed operator not to accept bets on football matches involving Hong Kong teams and/or matches that take places in Hong Kong, to promote a betting-free and healthy environment for the sport in Hong Kong. Moreover, restrictions shall be imposed on the number of bet types and classes of competitions that the licensed operator may offer.
Import of Rare Earth Metals
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:19PM by PIB Delhi
The details on the quantum of rare earth metals imported and the countries from which it has been imported during the last five years is given at Annexure-I.
Government is aware of the occurrence of neodymium in the country. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, is actively engaged in carrying out mineral exploration across the country following guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification [UNFC stage viz. reconnaissance surveys (G4), preliminary exploration (G3) and general exploration (G2)] and the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) (MEMC) Rules, 2015 with an aim to augment resource for various mineral commodities including critical minerals specified in Part D of the First Schedule of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023. During Field Season (FS) 2021-22 and 2022-23, GSI had taken up three reconnaissance stage projects for Rare Earth Elements including neodymium in Sirohi and Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan as per the approved field season programme. The details are given at Annexure-II.
The Department of Atomic Energy has explored 1,11,845 tonne in-situ Rare Earth Elements Oxide (REO) in hard rock terrains in parts of Balotra (erstwhile Barmer) district, Rajasthan. As policy framework for utilizing critical minerals, including rare earth metals, the National Critical Mineral Mission has been launched, which is India’s strategic initiative to secure critical mineral supply chain by increasing domestic critical minerals production and foreign supply sources.
Under the Mission, GSI has prioritized and intensified its exploration activities for critical and strategic minerals across the country including Rajasthan, with an aim to find out potential mineralized locales as well as to establish more resources for these minerals. During the current FS 2024-25, GSI has taken up 195 exploration projects including 35 projects in Rajasthan, to assess the mineral potential of strategic and critical minerals. The detailed list of mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Rajasthan exclusively for REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to 2024-25 is given at Annexure-III. Since MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, GSI has established resource of REE in Barmer and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. GSI has handed over one resource bearing geological report (GR) on REE, one Geological Memorandums (GM) on REE and one GM on tungsten for auctioning.
ANNEXURE-I
Annexure-I referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: Country wise quantum of rare earth metals imported by India during last 5 years
Quantity in Tonnes
|
# |
HS Code- Description |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|||||
|
Country |
Qty |
Country |
Qty |
Country |
Qty |
Country |
Qty |
Country |
Qty |
||
|
1. |
28053000– Alkali or alkaline earth metals: Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or inter alloyed |
China |
437 |
China |
445 |
China |
714.5 |
China |
709 |
China |
699 |
|
Hong Kong |
34 |
Japan |
11 |
Japan |
34 |
Japan |
42 |
Hong Kong |
234 |
||
|
Japan |
2 |
Sweden |
10 |
USA |
6.6 |
Singapore |
20 |
Japan |
192 |
||
|
USA |
0.57 |
USA |
4.69 |
Hong Kong |
5 |
Hong Kong |
20 |
Mongolia |
60 |
||
|
UK |
0.08 |
Hong Kong |
0.05 |
Russia |
1 |
USA |
1.09 |
UK |
0.11 |
||
|
Others |
0.00 |
Others |
0.07 |
Others |
0.06 |
Others |
0.18 |
Others |
0.02 |
||
|
Total |
473.65 |
Total |
470.61 |
Total |
761 |
Total |
792 |
Total |
1,185 |
||
|
2. |
2846- Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare earth metals |
Russia |
452 |
China |
695 |
China |
745 |
China |
796 |
China |
780 |
|
China |
434 |
Russia |
156 |
Japan |
196 |
Korea |
150 |
Japan |
148 |
||
|
Japan |
255 |
Japan |
133 |
Korea |
93 |
Japan |
148 |
Korea |
90 |
||
|
Germany |
59 |
Korea |
91 |
Austria |
41 |
USA |
20 |
USA |
24 |
||
|
Austria |
31 |
Austria |
46 |
Russia |
40 |
France |
14 |
France |
19 |
||
|
Others |
144 |
Others |
129 |
Others |
69 |
Others |
24 |
Others |
24 |
||
|
Total |
1,375 |
Total |
1,250 |
Total |
1,183 |
Total |
1,153 |
Total |
1,086 |
||
|
|
REE Total |
|
1,848 |
|
1,721 |
|
1,944 |
|
1,945 |
|
2,270 |
Note:REE has 17 elements. HS codes 280530 and 2846 pertain to REE as a whole and not to a particular element.
ANNEXURE-II
Annexure-II referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: G4 stage projects taken up for Rare Earth Elements including neodymium in Rajasthan during FS 2021-22 and FS 2022-23
|
Sl. No |
State |
District |
Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt |
UNFC Stage |
Mineral Commodity |
|
FS: 2021-22 |
|||||
|
1 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Jirawal-Sanpur |
G4 |
Neodymium and Dysprosium |
|
2 |
Rajasthan |
Bhilwara |
Mahendragarh-Gundli-Bawri |
G4 |
Neodymium and associated REE |
|
FS: 2022-23 |
|||||
|
3 |
Rajasthan |
Bhilwara |
Kodukota-Raser-Lulas-Kallyakhera |
G4 |
REE and associated Neodymium |
ANNEXURE-III
Annexure-III referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: List of projects taken up by GSI on REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to FS 2024-25
|
Sl. No. |
State |
District |
Name of Mineral Block / Area / Belt |
UNFC Stage |
Mineral Commodity |
|
FS: 2021-22 |
|||||
|
1 |
Rajasthan |
Jaipur |
Asalpur, Boraj, Bichun |
G4 |
REE & RM, basemetal |
|
2 |
Rajasthan |
Sikar |
South East of Nanagwas |
G3 |
REE & RM, basemetal |
|
3 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Jirawal-Sanpur |
G4 |
Neodymium, Dysprosium (REE) |
|
4 |
Rajasthan |
Bhilwara |
Mahendragarh-Gundli-Bawri |
G4 |
Neodymium, REE |
|
5 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Sainji Ki Beri-Meli |
G4 |
REE |
|
6 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Indrana-Siwana |
G4 |
REE |
|
7 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
WNW of Sukleswar Ka Mandir |
G3 |
REE & RM |
|
8 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Nimale Ki Pahari-Dantala |
G4 |
REE & RM |
|
9 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Kundal-Dhiran |
G4 |
REE & RM |
|
10 |
Rajasthan |
Jaisalmer |
Jaisalmer-Pokran |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
FS: 2022-23 |
|||||
|
1 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
SE of Mawri |
G3 |
REE |
|
2 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
north of Kalaur Ka Danta |
G3 |
REE, RM |
|
3 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Kalaur Ka Danta |
G3 |
REE, RM |
|
4 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Kaluri-Tapra-Buriwara |
G4 |
REE |
|
5 |
Rajasthan |
Bhilwara |
Kodukota-Raser-Lulas-Kallyakhera |
G4 |
Neodymium and associated REE |
|
6 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Bachharau-Dhorimana |
G4 |
REE |
|
7 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
south of Gura Nal |
G3 |
REE |
|
8 |
Rajasthan |
Sikar |
Ladi Ka Was |
G3 |
REE, RM, Basemetal |
|
9 |
Rajasthan |
Sikar |
Kalakhera |
G3 |
REE, RM, Basemetal |
|
10 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
SE of Gugrot |
G3 |
REE |
|
11 |
Rajasthan |
Jalore |
Ahor-Beria-Ajitpura |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
12 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
WNW of Sukleswar Ka Mandir |
G3 |
REE, RM |
|
13 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Relon Ki Dhani – Telwara |
G4 |
REE |
|
FS: 2023-24 |
|||||
|
1 |
Rajasthan |
Alwar |
Dadikar, Harsora and Khairthal |
G4 |
REE, RM, Tungsten, Tin, Niobium, Beryllium, Tantalum, Hafnium |
|
2 |
Rajasthan |
Udaipur |
Semari |
G4 |
REE, Gold, Basemetal |
|
3 |
Rajasthan |
Udaipur |
Seriya |
G4 |
REE, Gold, Basemetal |
|
4 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Wan-Mochhal-Bhev |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
5 |
Rajasthan |
Udaipur |
Padrara-Sayra |
G4 |
REE |
|
6 |
Rajasthan |
Ajmer |
Piloda Nagola |
G4 |
REE |
|
7 |
Rajasthan |
Banswara |
Bhongra-Bargun |
G4 |
Graphite, RM |
|
8 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
East of Gugrot |
G3 |
REE |
|
9 |
Rajasthan |
Jalore&Sirohi |
Jastwantpura |
G4 |
REE |
|
10 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Punawa-Ranela-Kooma |
G4 |
REE |
|
11 |
Rajasthan |
Dungarpur |
Barwasa -Lodowal |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
12 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Nakoda |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
FS: 2024-25 |
|||||
|
1 |
Rajasthan |
Sikar |
Ladi ka Bas |
G2 |
REE, RM |
|
2 |
Rajasthan |
Dungarpur |
Gara Sialia |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
3 |
Rajasthan |
Jalore |
Dorda-Ambatri |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
4 |
Rajasthan |
Tonk |
Kalyanpura-Kakor |
G4 |
REE |
|
5 |
Rajasthan |
Ajmer and Pali |
Ratangarh-Jetgarh |
G4 |
RM |
|
6 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Malawa-Nagani |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
7 |
Rajasthan |
Pali and Sirohi |
Chhotila-Badla-Raghunathpura |
G4 |
REE, RM |
|
8 |
Rajasthan |
Alwar |
Sibagaon North |
G3 |
Tin, Lithium, RM |
|
9 |
Rajasthan |
Nagaur and Ajmer |
Chinwali-Bhutas |
G4 |
REE, Basemetal |
|
10 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Jhak and Khimpar |
G4 |
REE |
|
11 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer |
Kitpala-Sinli |
G4 |
REE |
|
12 |
Rajasthan |
Pali |
Thandi Beri |
G4 |
RM |
|
13 |
Rajasthan |
Barmer and Jodhpur |
Patodi-Thob |
G4 |
REE |
|
14 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Rewakakri-Moras-UparlaSavela |
G4 |
RM |
|
15 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi and Pali |
Malnu-Velar-Chotila ki Bhagli |
G4 |
RM |
|
16 |
Rajasthan |
Sirohi |
Isra Darbar Khera Chhota-Dhanta |
G4 |
RM |
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(Release ID: 2117701) Visitor Counter : 65
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) celebrates 7th Foundation Day, Strengthening its Commitment to Tribal Education
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 1:24PM by PIB Delhi
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) proudly commemorated its 7th Foundation Day celebrating its unwavering dedication to the education and empowerment of tribal students across India. Established in year 2019 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, NESTS has been instrumental in transforming the educational landscape for tribal communities through the administration of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
The event, held at Akashwani Bhavan, was graced by Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs along with Shri Durgadas Uikey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Antar Singh Arya, Hon’ble Chairman, National Commission for Schedule Tribes (NCST)and dignitaries from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, educationists, and key stakeholders of EMRS. The celebrations featured inspiring addresses, vibrant cultural performances, and a short film showcasing the remarkable impact of EMRS over the last year in advancing quality education for tribal children.
Lighting of lamp
Key Highlights of the Event:
The momentous occasion address was delivered by Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, while the keynote speech was given by Shri Durgadas Uikey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening tribal education and outlining the vision for the future,the Chairman, (NCST) highlighted the crucial role of education in driving tribal development, emphasizing how EMRS has been instrumental and crucial to it. Outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements of EMRS students were recognized and celebrated, with twelve students felicitated in the morning session. Further, the staff of NESTS who excelled in the Sports meet, received awards in the program. Tribal students from various EMRS institutions captivated the audience with performances showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
A dedicated segment highlighted the achievements of EMRS over the past year, demonstrating its impact on fostering quality education, holistic development, and promising futures for tribal youth across the country.
Shri Jual Oram Shri Durgadas Uikey
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, Commissioner, NESTS stated,“NESTS has played a pivotal role in ensuring quality education for tribal students. With the expansion of EMRS and new initiatives, we aim to empower the next generation with knowledge and skills for a brighter future.”
EMRS students & teachers with dignitaries.
Transforming Education for Tribal Communities
NESTS has made significant strides, expanding to 477 functional schools with an enrolment of over 1,38,000 students. Additionally, successful recruitment efforts have resulted in the appointment of a total 9075 teaching and non-teaching staff, further strengthening the educational eco system. NESTS aims to enhance infrastructure, digital learning and skill development programs, ensuring that quality education reaches every tribal student across India.
Various capacity-building programs, including specialized training initiatives, have fortified the foundation of EMRS schools, equipping educators with the necessary tools to foster excellence and shape a promising future for tribal children.
About NESTS
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) was established in 2019 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide high-quality education to tribal students through Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). These schools offer holistic learning, combining academics with sports, arts and life skills, ensuring inclusive and equitable education for tribal communities.
*****
RN/PIB
(Release ID: 2117667) Visitor Counter : 64
WAYSIDE AMENITIES (WSA)
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:20PM by PIB Delhi
- Government has currently awarded 501 Wayside Amenities (WSAs) along National Highways/Expressways. Out of these, 94 Wayside Amenities have been made operational. The development of more than 700 WSAs is likely to be completed by the Financial Year 2028-2029.
- The Wayside Amenities have provision of facilities like Fuel Station, Electric Vehicle Charging Station, Toilets, Drinking Water, Parking, Dhaba/Restaurant/Eateries etc. A digital feedback system to enable users to provide digital inputs is installed at WSAs for the purpose of quality monitoring.
- WSAs are operated by operators selected through a private bidding. However, to create employment opportunities and promote local artisans, areas have been assigned for Kiosks as part of mandatory facilities in dedicated covered zones. Also, to promote the local produce, Village Haats have been provisioned as permissible facilities through Khadi and Village Industries Commission. As WSAs are run by operators selected through a bidding system, the details of employment creation are not captured by the Government.
- Government, through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) envisions development of Wayside Amenities at approximate intervals of 40-60 km. along National Highways and Expressways. The State-wise numbers of 501 awarded WSAs and 94 operational WSAs are annexed as Annexure-A.
Annexure referred to in part (c) of reply
This reply was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written statement to an unstarred question (3617) in the Rajya Sabha.
***
GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2117704) Visitor Counter : 66
DH requires manufacturer to recall unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine for external use (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Health (DH) today (April 2) announced that a licensed manufacturer of proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm), Merika Medicine Factory Ltd (Merika), located on Wong Chuk Yeung Street, Fo Tan, New Territories, had not manufactured a pCm for external use called “Golden Statue Cinnamon Oil & Embrocation” according to the registered particulars and was therefore suspected of illegal sale and possession of unregistered pCm. The DH has immediately requested Merika to recall the batch of product concerned (batch number: 427141) from the market.
During an inspection yesterday (April 1), the DH found that the above-mentioned pCm manufacturer was suspected to have changed one of the active ingredients from Cinnamon Oil to Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil during the production of a registered pCm named “Golden Statue Cinnamon Oil & Embrocation” (Registration number: HKC-02106), without the approval of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK). According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap.549), since the product did not match the registered particulars of the registered pCm, the batch of the product concerned is therefore an unregistered pCm.
According to section 119 of the Ordinance, no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation and will refer the case to the CMCHK for consideration of possible disciplinary action.
According to its label, the above product, in liniment form, is used to expel wind and relieve pain and itching. Although Cinnamon Oil and Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil come from different species of plants within the same family and have similar actions, the safety, efficacy and quality of unregistered pCm had not been assessed. Members of the public who have purchased the batch of the product should stop using it immediately. Those who have used the above product and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. As instructed by the DH, Merika is conducting the above-mentioned recall and has set up a hotline (2699 1410) for related enquiries.
The DH is continuing to investigate the case and will closely monitor the recall. So far, no adverse reports related to the use of the above product have been received by the DH.
Apart from returning the product to Merika, people who have the batch of the product concerned may submit it to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.
Geo-Tagging to Prevent Illegal Mining
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:20PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has begun use of Geo-spatial technologies such as GIS and Satellite imagery to monitor and prevent illegal mining activities. The Ministry of Mines has launched the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) in October 2016. It aims at developing a system for detection of incidence of illegal mining by use of space technology and surveillance of area up to 500m outside the lease boundary to check incidences of illegal mining. The MSS has been developed through Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG) Gandhinagar. Since, the inception of MSS in 2016-17, the project was implemented in major mineral rich states including in Odisha. The MSS analyzes land pattern changes within a 500-meter radius of mining leases. If discrepancies are detected, alerts are generated and sent to the respective State Government for ground verification.
The details of Reserves of Critical minerals in the State of Odisha are furnished in Annexure I.
To enhance the exploration program for identifying potential mining sites in order to boost domestic production for the critical and strategic minerals, Geological Survey of India (GSI), in current year 2024-25, has taken up 195 mineral exploration projects for critical and strategic minerals across the country. Ministry has also focused on funding various projects of mineral exploration through National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). So far, NMET has funded 72 projects for critical and strategic mineral exploration during FY 2024-25. To encourage private participation in exploration, Ministry of Mines has notified 32 private exploration agencies (NPEAs). These agencies are taking up exploration projects through funding from NMET.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was amended in 2015 to introduce a transparent and non-discriminatory method of e-auction for grant of mineral concessions in respect of major minerals. So far, the Government of Odisha has auctioned 48 mineral blocks and the Central Government has auctioned 3 mineral blocks of critical and strategic minerals in Odisha.
Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017 was framed under Section 18 of MMDR Act, 1957 for the mineral conservation, systematic development of minerals and protection of environment by preventing or controlling any pollution which may be caused by prospecting or mining operations. As per Rule 12(1) of MCDR (amendment) 2017, the prospecting and mining operations shall be carried out in such a manner so as to ensure systematic development of mineral deposits, conservation of minerals and protection of the environment. Rule 35 to 44 under Chapter V of MCDR, 2017 is provided for Sustainable Mining. Adequate emphasis has been given on Sustainable Development in Mining areas in the National Mineral Policy 2019. Further, to implement the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF), Ministry has evolved a system of Star Rating of Mines.
Annexure-I
Reserves/Resources of critical minerals for the state of Odisha (As on 01.04.2020)
|
S. No. |
Mineral |
Unit |
Reserves |
Remaining Resources |
Total Resources |
|
1. |
Cobalt |
Million tonnes |
0 |
31 |
31 |
|
2. |
Graphite |
Tonnes |
2838414 |
17142707 |
19981121 |
|
3. |
Nickel |
Million tonnes |
0 |
175 |
175 |
|
4. |
Platinum Group of Metals (PGMs) |
Tonnes of metal content |
0 |
14 |
14 |
|
5. |
Rare Earth Elements (REE) |
Tonnes |
0 |
25493 |
25493 |
|
6. |
Tin |
||||
|
Ore |
Tonnes |
0 |
15618 |
15618 |
|
|
Metal |
0 |
653 |
653 |
||
|
7. |
Titanium |
Tonnes |
12654141 |
53019062 |
65673203 |
|
8. |
Vanadium |
||||
|
Ore |
Tonnes |
0 |
4864795 |
4864795 |
|
|
Contained V2O5 |
0 |
13558 |
13558 |
||
|
9. |
Zircon |
Tonnes |
476672 |
390247 |
866919 |
|
10. |
Copper |
||||
|
Ore |
Thousand Tonnes |
0 |
11991 |
11991 |
|
|
Metal |
0 |
97 |
97 |
||
- National Mineral Inventory, 2020. Figures rounded off
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(Release ID: 2117703) Visitor Counter : 52
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SPECIAL CAMPAIGN FOR DE-ADDICTION IN THE COUNTRY
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:11PM by PIB Delhi
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and now it has been extended to all districts of the country. NMBA has reached out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses and schools by reaching out and identifying dependent population and providing counselling and treatment facilities in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Year-wise details of total amount spent on NMBA, which was launched in the year 2020-21 is as below:
|
S.No. |
Financial Year |
Fund released under NMBA (Rs. in crore) |
|
1 |
2020-21 |
13.38 |
|
2 |
2021-22 |
3.14 |
|
3 |
2022-23 |
1.50 |
|
4 |
2023-24 |
6.19 |
|
5 |
2024-25 |
27.25 |
|
Total |
51.46 |
|
The achievements of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan are as follows:
- Till now, through the various activities undertaken on-ground, 15.44+ crore people have been sensitized on substance use including 5.17+ crore Youth and 3.27+ crore Women.
- Participation of 4.18+ Lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country.
- A strong force of 10,000+ Master Volunteers (MVs) have been identified and trained.
- Awareness through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
- NMBA Mobile Application developed to gather and collect the data of NMBA activities and represent on the NMBA Dashboard at district, state and national level.
- NMBA Website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) provides detailed information and insights to the user/viewer about the Abhiyaan, an online discussion forum, NMBA dashboard, e-pledge.
- MoUs have been signed with six Spiritual/Social Service organizations like The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, All World Gayatri Parivar, ISKCON and Shri Ram Chandra Mission to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.
- A Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, 14446, is set up to provide primary counselling and immediate referral services to the persons seeking help through this helpline.
- Commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2024, wherein all the States/Districts conducted several activities reaching out to 7.5+ lakh people.
- Sportspersons like Olympic Medalist Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Suresh Raina, Ajinkhya Rahane, Sandeep Singh, Savita Poonia has shared messages in support of NMBA to promote Sports as life-skills to ensure a healthy and drug-free lifestyle among youth.
- NMBA has entered into 5th year since its launch on 2020. In recognition of this milestone, Department organized a mass pledge/oath taking ceremony across the country. More than 3 crore people from more than 2 lakh educational institutions from across the country took oath and participated in various programmes conducted to celebrate this occasion.
This information was provided by MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L.VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
*****
VM
(Rajya Sabha US Q3652)
(Release ID: 2117694) Visitor Counter : 49